Engineering skills and construction

Engineering Skills and Construction: Kings were expected to care for their subjects, and by making structures for their use and comfort, rulers hoped to win their praise. Construction activity was also carried out by others, including merchants. They built temples, mosques and wells.

Monuments provide an insight into the technologies used for construction. Take something like a roof for example. But the task becomes difficult if we want to make a large room with an elaborated superstructure. This requires more sophisticated skills. Between the seventh and tenth centuries architects stared adding more rooms, doors and windows to buildings. Between the eighth and thirteenth centuries the trabeate style was used in the construction of temples, mosques, tombs and in buildings attached to large stepped-wells.

Two technological and stylistic developments are noticeable from the twelfth century. The weight of the superstructure above the doors and windows was sometimes carried by arches. This architectural form was called “arcuate”. Limestone cement was increasingly used in construction. This was very high-quality cement, which, when mixed with stone chips hardened into concrete. This made construes easier and faster.

The Birth of Indo- Islamic Architecture: The coming of Muslim rulers to India saw the birth of a new style of art and architecture that came to be known as Indo-Islamic style. Indo -Islamic architecture was a blend of the local Indian style with the Islamic style. Since Islamic art itself was a composite of various influences- Turkish,Afghan,Persian and Arabi -Indo-Islamic architecture showcased a wide variety of styles.In Delhi ,Islamic influences dominated ,while in the Deccan ,local styles were more prominent in the buildings. In Bengal ,The local practice of using bricks for building continued. Indo -Islamic architecture was also influenced by the fact that the Muslim rulers often had to use Indian craftsmen,who were trained in the local styles.Building were simple,with symmetrical and beautiful lines. They now featured Islamic elements such as arches and domes.

Islam discourages the depiction of human figures in art.Therefore,much of Islamic art consist of geometric designs,Floral patterns and calligraphy.Calligraphy is the art of beautiful writing.It was developed into a fine arts by Islamic artists,who used it to copy out portions of the Quran.

Some of the earliest buildings built by the Muslims In India were their places of worships ,or mosques. These shapes were new to India. A mosque has a sihn , an open rectangular courtyard at the center,surrounded by a liwan,a pillard cloister with several entrances. A domed prayer hall stands at the western end of courtyard .at the back of the prayer hall is the Mihrab (a niche) which indicates the direction of Mecca,for faithful to face while praying . To the right of the Mihrab is the mimbar (pulpit) for the imam to conduct prayers. There is also the minar,a high slender tower ,from where the mu'azzin (priest) calls the faithfull to prayer.

Chapters

Tracing Changes Through Thousand Years - I

Tracing Changes Through Thousand Years - II

Kings and Kingdoms

Delhi 12th to 15th Century I

Delhi 12th to 15th Century II

The Mughals 16th-1 Century I

The Mughals 16th-1 Century II

Rulers and Buildings I

Rulers and Buildings II

Towns Traders and Craftsperson I

Towns Traders and Craftsperson II